A purpose-built gem on the West Coast that has it all, officially opened 1st December 2019 - The Paparoa Track: A runners dream.

​

Starting at the Southern end (Smoke-Ho car park), the trail crosses a wire suspension bridge before climbing steadily through beech and podocarp forest. As you ascend, the vegetation changes to subalpine forest, leading you above the bush line to Ces Clark Hut. From here, it’s ridge running at its finest, with panoramic views stretching across the Paparoa Ranges, the Tasman Sea and Aoraki/Mount Cook to the South on a clear day. Passing Moonlight Tops Hut, the track winds along dramatic escarpments with steep cliffs and spectacular views. Then descending through ancient podocarp forest to Pororari Hut, continuing along the ridgeline before dropping into the Pororari Valley. The final stretch follows the river through a striking limestone gorge, finishing at the Pororari car park, just a short two-minute walk from the Punakaiki coastline.

 

Whilst parts of the track have historical routes built for mining or farming ventures in the 1800's, the full Paparoa Track is a purpose-built memorial trail to the 29 men perished in an underground explosion at the Pike River Mine ​​on 19th November 2010, and as a thank you to New Zealanders for their support of the affected families.